NEWPORT – Byron W. Fraser, 93, died Sept. 24, 2010, at Sanfield Living Center, Hartland, after a short period of ill health. Byron was born Jan. 8, 1917, in Corinna, the son of Walter B. and Helen (Tuttle) Fraser. He was educated in Newport schools and received his GED from Newport High School. He also attended the University of Maine. Byron was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and while in the service he was chosen as one of the first soldiers to calibrate the first Nordon Bombsight that was used to help end World War II. Byron was married to Edna (Wilson) Fraser for 51 years. She predeceased him March 21, 1989. Throughout the years Byron had several occupations; he owned and operated a saw mill on Elm Street, Newport; he worked at Cumming’s Woolen Mill, Newport; he worked as a councilor at Seton Hospital, Waterville; and at age 65 he retired from Edwards Co., Pittsfield. Byron was the oldest living member of St. Martins Episcopal Church, Palmyra. He was very proud of his 50-year membership chip that he received from AA. He was a member of the Hardly Able Band that played their music all over Central Maine to mostly senior citizens. He was a member of Barrows-Skidgel American Legion Post No. 105, Newport. He enjoyed his genealogy studies and was an avid sky watcher with his telescope, watching the stars and the planets for hours at a time. For the past several years Byron had been a very active resident of Sanfield Living Center, Hartland. Until just recently he was at his best while entertaining his fellow residents and guests. On June 6, 2009, he married Ada M. Bragg and they enjoyed these last months together. He is survived by his wife Ada M. Fraser of Hartland; two daughters and their husbands, Lynn and Perry L. Bennett of Oklahoma City, and Lauren and Dale Tanner of Payson, Utah; one brother, Dwight Fraser of Brewer; his brother-in-law, Almer Davis of Plymouth; two half brothers, James Fraser of South Carolina and Jack Fraser of Massachusetts; one stepson, Ted Bragg of Newport; two stepdaughters, Joanne Wiley of Scarborough and Daisy Parker of Saco; 12 grandchildren, nine stepgrandchildren, many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his by two brothers, Harold and Karl; and his sister, Pauline Davis. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at St. Martins Episcopal Church, Route 2, Palmyra, with the Rev. Lev Shurman, vicar, officiating. Private burial will be after at Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, Newport. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Sanfield Living Center Activity Fund, care of Sanfield Living Center, Hartland. There are no public visitations. To sign an online guest book and leave written condolences to the family, please visit www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.
BYRON W. FRASER
